Cacho's offers surf lessons, board rentals and on-site gear adjustments like fin changes, with patient, knowledgeable instructors who give individualized tips and local surf knowledge. The shop also runs fishing and ocean trips from a comfortable boat; a few off-site tour referrals have been noted as pricier.

Channel Islands stocks a strong selection of high-quality surfboards from well-regarded shapers at a new Jaco location. The staff are friendly and helpful, offering attentive service and local guidance to visitors.

Boca Barranca Surf Shop offers a solid selection of quality surfboards and gear and delivers attentive, knowledgeable service. Staff emphasize board quality and customer care, making purchases and outfitting straightforward.

Mauricio offers a wide selection of rental boards and surf lessons, plus extras like sunscreen, water, surf photos/videos and optional local pickup. His instruction is friendly and flexible for beginners through intermediate surfers, and he shares local tips (transport, ATMs, eateries); some guests note occasional instructor frustration and the occasional worn board.

The shop offers a small, varied selection of surf gear and casual items with friendly, helpful service and local knowledge. Specifics about board rentals, lessons or repairs are not widely mentioned in available comments.

Jobbies Longboards offers a wide selection of quality boards for rent and easy swaps, with flexible short-term pricing and a simple, trust-based checkout just steps from the beach. The owner and staff provide friendly, laid-back service, helpful local advice, and surf lessons with patient instructors.

Monkey Mafia offers a range of surfboards, rentals, and quick repair service that often includes loaner boards to keep trips on the water. The shop also sells durable clothing and rashguards and runs attentive surf lessons with video feedback and children's programs, while staff provide friendly local knowledge.

Juan Surfo's Surf Shop offers beginner-friendly lessons with patient, experienced instructors who coach in the water, and booking is relaxed and easy. They rent boards and basic gear, though some visitors report worn equipment and occasional unfriendly staff, so service and board condition can vary.

Marea Surf Shop Cafe in Sámara combines a small surf shop with a café, offering a limited selection of boards, parts and gear plus board repair services. Staff provide local surf-spot knowledge and helpful service, and the café draws locals and visitors with coffee, smoothies and bowls, though seating can be limited and service sometimes low-key.

Coconut Harry's offers a solid range of foam, long and shortboards, carries established brands (a certified Rusty dealer) and rents boards flexibly by day or week with swaps available. Staff is friendly, English-speaking and helpful, providing lessons for all levels, video footage and hands-on help with board selection and sales.

The Frog Pad offers lessons, rentals and beach-ready gear, supplying boards, rash guards and sunscreen and allowing guests to borrow equipment during their stay. Instructors are patient, flexible and communicative, tailoring teaching to mixed abilities and local conditions, while staff provide friendly, efficient service and helpful local surf knowledge.

Tico's Surf School offers instruction for beginners and children with experienced, attentive instructors who emphasize safety, wave‑reading and board handling. They provide a modest selection of boards with complimentary short‑term post‑lesson rentals, lockers and showers, plus on‑site surf photography.

Ten Toes offers surf-and-stay coaching and lessons at all levels, with knowledgeable, patient instructors who give personalized instruction and help navigate the lineup and changing conditions. They run a comfortable surf house and handle logistics, providing attentive, concierge-style service and local knowledge to maximize wave time.

Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop in Tamarindo focuses on beginner-friendly surf lessons, offering private instruction, organized check-in and flexible scheduling near the beach. Instructors are patient, safety-conscious and skilled at coaching technique, while the shop emphasizes lessons more than extensive gear sales or repairs.

Olo Alaia Surf & Brew stocks a solid selection of local and California surfboards, gear and clothing, and doubles as a coffee-and-beer hangout. They offer surf lessons with local instructors and provide friendly, knowledgeable service and spot advice to help visitors choose boards and conditions.

Club 33 offers a solid selection of boards and rentals alongside comprehensive lessons taught by knowledgeable, patient instructors; they also provide lockers, outdoor showers and host accommodations. Staff communicate easily via WhatsApp and share local surf knowledge, keeping bookings flexible and service friendly.

Kina Surf Shop in Santa Teresa stocks a wide selection of surfboards, fins, clothing and rental boards, and staff provide friendly local advice and guidance for sessions. Occasionally customers report product durability or service issues after purchase, but most visitors find the rentals and knowledgeable service helpful.

Selva Surf School sits steps from the beach and offers a wide, well‑maintained board selection for rentals, with storage and easy board swapping. Locally owned staff provide lessons with patient instructors, fair pricing, and practical local surf‑spot advice.

Caribbean Surf School & Shop offers surf lessons and guided coastal activities, with instructors who personalize coaching for beginners and adapt spot choices to conditions. The team demonstrates strong local knowledge, clear communication and a patient, friendly approach; gear selection, rentals or repair services are not frequently mentioned.

Banzaii Surfboards specializes in custom-shaped surfboards crafted by Javier and his team, emphasizing local shaping expertise rather than mass-market brands. The shop offers personalized, hands-on service from experienced shapers.

Tico Surf & Skate in Cocles offers lessons and board rentals with experienced, patient instructors who tailor coaching and pick waves by ability, plus a range of boards and gear for different levels. The team provides flexible communication and local knowledge; service is generally friendly, though isolated reports note occasional staff rudeness.

Located at Playa Cocles, the area offers plenty of surf with quick, easy paddle rides rather than barrels. The beach can get crowded at times and occasional smoke haze reduces visibility.

DiTown Shop in Puerto Viejo focuses on bikinis and surf-related apparel from a bright seaside storefront, with a selection geared toward beachwear. The shop serves coffee and sweet treats and offers friendly, cordial service, though a few customers find the espresso bitter.

The shop specializes in shaping and repairs, offering custom boards and quick, affordable ding fixes using high-quality materials. Walter brings over 20 years of experience, remains responsive to customers, and provides attentive, knowledgeable service to local surfers.

Costa Rica Surf Camp offers personalized lessons with experienced instructors and small student-to-instructor ratios, providing boards and gear suited to all ages and levels. Staff organize transport to local breaks, tailor sessions to tides and ability, and deliver friendly, dependable service and strong local surf knowledge.

Tony's Surf School provides surf lessons and full-day excursions, supplying boards and gear for sessions and accommodating kids and large groups. Tony and his team are attentive, flexible and knowledgeable about local breaks and jungle features, prioritizing safety and last-minute scheduling.

Epic Oeste offers a solid selection of boards and rentals and provides one-on-one lessons and local activity advice at reasonable prices. Service is friendly and knowledgeable, though the kiosk can occasionally be unattended.

Matos offers a wide selection of boards—many shaped in-house—and affordable, flexible rentals at reasonable prices with easy board swaps. Staff are relaxed and helpful with local surf knowledge, though some customers report restrictive safety-related rental policies at times.

Arisha Surf Shop offers a curated selection of boards, surfwear and souvenirs, with reasonable prices and flexible rentals (including bodyboards). Lessons are available from a local instructor who emphasizes safety and technique, and staff provide friendly, practical knowledge about local surf conditions.

El Mango Surf offers a wide selection of well-maintained boards for rental and private lessons, with same-day availability and affordable rates. Instructors provide patient, knowledgeable coaching and local surf insights, and the shop connects with a nearby shaper for custom boards and repairs, adding a welcoming, family-run feel.

South Wave Surf Shop offers a large selection of surfboards and rentals, plus repair services and occasional on-beach tips. Staff often helps match boards and accommodates returns or credits, but multiple customers report an ID-as-deposit policy and disputed damage charges with withheld IDs, so renters should document board condition and confirm payment terms upfront.

Cactus Surf Shop offers a wide selection of surfboards, bodyboards and beach gear like hammocks, and provides board rentals. The owner is known locally and shares surf knowledge and good vibes, though some note rental prices can be higher than other shops and service experiences vary.

Nalu Surf School offers lessons with professional, patient instructors who emphasize safety and local wave knowledge, often including photos and free board use after lessons. They also rent a wide selection of boards at fair prices, outfit surfers by level, and provide friendly, family-run service with straightforward policies.

The shop offers a good selection of boards and rentals and runs lessons for beginners through advanced surfers. Instructors are generally patient and knowledgeable about local breaks, providing clear, practical feedback, though a few guests report occasional inconsistencies and missed photo promises.

Take Off Surf School offers tailored lessons and a thoughtful board selection to suit all levels, with instructors who focus on safety, local ocean knowledge, and progression. They provide filmed sessions with video analysis, quick communication, rinse-off facilities, and attentive service that helps students improve quickly.

Chill and Surf Shop offers a solid selection of boards and affordable rentals, often including a board with lessons, and runs lessons and local tours. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable locals who give good guidance on conditions. Renters should confirm pickup/return times in advance, as availability and closing routines can be informal.

Jaguar Surf & Shop offers a good selection of new and used boards, daily rentals with rash guards, and beginner lessons led by patient, knowledgeable instructors who help guests stand up quickly and gain confidence. They also do fast, same-day ding repairs and buy/sell boards, though occasional delays or inconsistent customer follow-up are reported on repairs or extras.

They offer beginner-friendly lessons and multi-session courses with board rental included, along with practical advice on board choice and where to surf. Staff are patient and English-speaking, provide strong local knowledge and transport to different beaches, and the operation also runs boat tours such as bioluminescent sunset trips.

Denga Surf Shop stocks a good selection of gear and offers board rentals and lessons, with staff who are friendly, helpful and provide local advice. They handle board repairs well in many cases, though occasional delays and communication or quality inconsistencies are reported.

High Tide Surf School provides tailored lessons with an experienced instructor who offers practical tips, lineup etiquette, and local knowledge on tides and best beaches. Lessons include a choice of boards, flexible venue changes to suit conditions, and friendly, attentive service that helps beginners and intermediates progress.

Solo Bueno Surf Cafe Spot offers a cozy, laid-back surf-cafe vibe with excellent coffee, fresh food like açaí bowls and sandwiches, and friendly, accommodating staff. The focus is clearly on the café experience rather than surf gear, rentals, repairs, or lessons, which are not mentioned.

Hermosa Riders Surf School offers affordable, beginner-focused lessons that get students standing quickly, with patient, knowledgeable instructors (often Ariel) who emphasize technique and safety. The shop supplies appropriate boards, shares local wave knowledge, and caters to both kids and adults in a welcoming, supportive way.

Santeria Beach Store stocks a broad selection of surfboards, swimsuits and beachwear and runs affordable, easy rentals with condition checks and free exchanges. They offer private and group lessons with experienced instructors who give clear, practical coaching, plus friendly staff who provide local advice and helpful service.

Customers consistently note a wide selection of clothing and regular discounts, though some say prices can be high. Reviews provide little consistent detail about surfboard inventory, rentals, repairs, lessons, or local knowledge, so availability and service in those areas remain unclear.

Pocket Wave offers friendly, professional beginner surf lessons on Playa Hermosa, with instructors who focus on safety, progression and practical local knowledge. Booking is easy and staff give helpful after-lesson advice and family-friendly support.

Surf y Patinaje Mango in Alajuela offers a wide variety of surf and skate gear and apparel from well-known brands at competitive prices. Staff provide attentive customer service, making it a convenient one-stop shop for items that can be hard to find elsewhere.

Villalobos Surf and Skate stocks a wide variety of youth clothing at good prices and provides friendly, attentive service. There is little information about boards, rentals, repairs, lessons or local surf knowledge, so availability of surf-specific gear and services is unclear.